The sale of Hsi Ho Nian Jong, a chemist's shop in Peking, once famouß for the sale of storks' blood recalls some curious facts in its history. Storks' blood was reputed to be such a deadly poison that a few drops made a lethal dose. High-born prisoners, sentenced to death, but permitted to escape the ignominy of execution, were taken to this shop and dosed with storks' blood, for which an extraordinary price was charged. The shop's signboard is said to be worth over £4OOO. It consists of two wooden boards, and the wording is said to have been written by Yen Sung, a councillor, of the Ming dynasty, whose calligraphy has become classical.
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Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19196, 30 December 1927, Page 4
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114Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19196, 30 December 1927, Page 4
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